Pre-digital was a delight to listen to, from the whole second set.
Crisp performances across the board. Baby Blue gets cut off at the end of side one. The remarks and commendations on this digital version are well deserved. The differences are subtle, but audible as a more rounded sound.
It's sure easier to bounce around on the digital version, from song to song, but that wasn't how it was played. Start to finish, as a performance, a sequence of songs, a setlist to enthrall and captivate the audience. While notes here explain it was for the suits in advance of the "tour" to Canada, the band had been practicing, they were conscientious and sounded like they were really trying to rock and roll, defining their own unique sound as a band, in the process. Ah, to go back and be there...knowing what's all ahead, the mind simply boggles.

The Dead exploded in 66. After lots of practice starting in 65 and playing in many dive bars, high schools, and auditoriums the band blossomed in 66.

Nobody on the planet had a repertoire like this. Blues, rock, country, and hippie jams. Jerry was the strongest player, but it takes a band to shine.

This recording is bit funky and parts of the performances are odd. But I would have rather seen this show than lots of the late 70's, 80's and 90's shows I went too.

Later in the year it is even better. The Pride records recording at the Matrix and Avalon in Sept and Nov 66 are as good as any they ever did in my opinion.(To bad they basically stole the recording from the Dead.)

You not with it unless you understand and love 66. This is a very significant recording.

First time ive heard any early Dead stuff live, WOW!!!!

Incredible!

I consider myself a hardcore Dead Head, even though (or because!) I rarely listen to any show later than 1972. And I'll consider any arguments that '69, 70 or '71 was their peak year. But...

Ron's Vox! And Jerry's Starfire!

Now, what could improve this page on the archive? A copy of the second set (Airplane). What I wouldn't give for that.

a lot of the tracks here are on Birth of the Dead. There is a recording here on the archive from may 66 and you can tell a huge difference. wish we had more recordings of 66 and especially 67, there were probably huge evolution from week to week even. if you saw these guys back then you must have known that they were going to be something great one day.

This was my first dead show I ever had. My Buddy was a big dead head and I liked smokin with him. One day we got stoney and he through this show in the tape deck and that was it... I was hooked. Never looking back. I had just turned 15 and never relized the trouble this music, this culture would get me in. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love the kind folks I've meet at shows on tour and on the road. I love you all! We are a grate group of wierdos. But thats for puttin this one on this page. Power to the peaceful

As a fan of the Grateful Dead's early sound, I really love this show. Great stuff here.

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5 stars for the mix
5 stars for the recording
5 stars for the performance
5 stars for the Charlie Miller Transfer.

SUMMER OF 66'...at the FILLMORE AUDITORIUM, SAN FRANCISCO.

"the oldest juveniles in California, the GRATEFUL DEAD"

Hard to believe when this show was performed, LSD was not an illegal substance. It's even harder to beileve San Francisco was once a cheap place to live, and no one lived in Marin.

Vocal track panned left, music track panned right.
Pigpen's organ can be clearly and easily heard. I love the sound of Pigpen's organ, his playing is outstanding. His organ was the "Sound" of the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Putting the audio tracks in mono changes the sound, it puts everything center, the vocals come forward and the organ drops back.

I like this version of "Pain In My Heart" better than the 11-19-66 Fillmore performance. A rare treat for us Pigpen fans. Otis Redding recorded this song in 1963.

I highly recommend adding this show to your 1966 GRATEFUL DEAD collection.

Hard to believe BEATLE MANIA was raging on the east coast, while San Francisco was giving birth to a behemoth like the GRATEFUL DEAD.

The Fillmore crowd is very well behaved, but hey it's 1966. Some of the best music ever written and performed had not yet been created, and some of it was and the GRATEFUL DEAD were playing it.

Get it while you can, get it while it's free, get it now or you will be sorry.

The tape runs out on "Dancin' In The Street" at 6:34.

Delightfully wonderful and truely a "MUST HAVE" show.

Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Thanks for the LOVE from 1966.

I miss 1966.

Wow, just listened to the show and thought it was GRATE!! GMLSG was awesome. This music sounds almost like their first album, only better cuz its LIVE and the tunes are much longer.

Can't believe there aren't more reviews! A good ol' fun show complete with the bubble gum feel. Sounds like you're listening to a 60's Haight Ashbury documentary. Only wish Jerry was a little bit higher in the mix. You can't have everything I guess.

this is the recording that I have been waiting for.